Quoting: Night_King
We already have 3 capable wingers that can score, Guentzel, Rust and the newest and welcome addition, Rakell.
E-Rod, Heinen, Jarnkrok can slot in on any line. Jarnkrok, IMO, is somewhat of an upgrade over Zucker. He’s a combination of both Tanev and ZAR. I feel like he’d fit perfectly with the Pens.
I was also thinking of not signing Letang in favour of Lyubushkin, who’d be much cheaper. Marino, Bear, and Lyubushkin as the righty’s. But the D looks solid as is, last minute choice things lol
Yeah like I said I dont even hate the pieces or the team, I like Jarnkrok, I like Bear, I like letting DOC play, I like bringing back Geno, Letang, and Rakell. I just think this team doesn't fit.
If I knew I had Bear, I would move Marino for say a Brock Boeser or JT Miller type player since VAN has been rumoured to love Marino. Obviously that wouldn't be a 1for1 deal but it would be the pieces involved. Then I'd dish McGinn's contract and POSSIBLY one of Dumo/Pettersson and then you have the cap to really upgrade your top 6 without really downgrading your D that much.
You could easily deploy a d core of say Dumo - Letang, Matheson - Bear, Ruhwedl/Friedman/POJ/Lyubushkin/ whoever else you wanna sign. And be fine. Leaving you much more cap space to make your bottom 6 intact and upgrade your top 6. You could get guys like Jarnkrok and Rodrigues to stay in the bottom 6 where they can be solid effective players, and still upgrade your top 6. All while keeping a strong enough D core.
I think this team has potential, its just youd need to make one or two more moves to make it "right" if that makes sense.